Wine Tasting Weekend

A Santa Maria Experience for Every Type of Wine Trip

If you’re coming to Santa Maria Valley for a wine tasting weekend like no other, you’ve come to the right place. Our rare east-west orientation and unique central coast climate make for one of California’s longest grape-growing seasons—and you might be surprised to learn that experts have dubbed our Valley “the world’s most dynamic wine-growing region.” With everything from a charming wine trolley to world-class wineries to bike-and-bottle tours, there’s a little something for every type of wino. Today, then, we’ve rounded up our pro itinerary tips for three different wine tasting weekends. Whether you’re flying solo or are gathering the girls, read on for an insider’s list of activities and adventures to try on your wine tasting weekend.

Solo

Riding solo to Santa Maria Valley for your wine tasting weekend? We’ve got just the lineup for you:

• Stay at the Best Western Big America or Candlewood Suites—either one makes for a convenient (and affordable) home base with easy access to wine country.
• Download our wine tasting map and plan for a day of visiting as many of our 14 wineries as you can squeeze in.
• If you’re visiting May-October, plan to hop on our fan-favorite Wine Trolley for a loop through a handful of the Santa Maria Valley’s most popular wineries.
• Fancy yourself a cyclist? Sign up to join CORE Winery’s Bike and Bottle Project—you’ll cycle an 11-mile flat ride from CORE Winery out to Surf Beach and wrap with an incredible artisan cheese and barrel tasting.
• Wrap your wine tasting weekend with some mouthwatering Santa Maria Style barbecue. Try Far Western Tavern or The Hitching Post (where our world-famous style of barbecue was perfected by the pioneers) for an authentic Santa Maria meal you won’t forget.
• Don’t stop at just wine—check out a few local breweries while you’re here, too.

Romantic

There’s nothing more romantic than good wine, great food, and a setting chock-full of charm—and our Valley happens to serve up all three. Check out these must-do wine weekend activities for lovebirds:

• Stay at the Historic Santa Maria Valley Inn for a home-base setting that’s as romantic as it is charming.
• Download our wine tasting map, check our and plan for a day of visiting as many of our 14 wineries as you can squeeze in.
• Spend a morning talking a romantic stroll around Oso Flaco Lake before you hit the wine scene.
• If you and your partner love to cycle, Sign up to join CORE Winery’s Bike and Bottle Project—the two of you will join a group of cyclists as you embark on an 11-mile flat ride from CORE Winery out to Surf Beach and wrap with an incredible artisan cheese and barrel tasting.
• Wrap your wine-tasting weekend with an unforgettable date night at The Century Club—it’s been voted “the most romantic restaurant in Santa Maria Valley”.

Girls’ Trip

If you’ve gathered all of your favorite leading ladies for a girls’ trip wine tasting weekend, be sure to check out a few of the following recommendations:

• Download our wine tasting map and plan for a day of visiting as many of our 14 wineries as you can squeeze in.
• If you’re visiting May-October, grab your girls and hop on our fan-favorite Wine Trolley for a loop to visit a handful of the Santa Maria Valley’s most popular wineries.
• Spend a few hours shopping in Santa Maria Valley (you don’t want to miss our antique shops for some serious hidden gems)—and be sure to check out the Valley Art Gallery.
• Looking for the perfect shot for the ‘gram? You’ll find that at the Historic Santa Maria Valley Inn—where the charming aesthetic offers the perfect backdrop for photos with your gal-pals.
• After you’ve filled your glasses and your bellies, check out a performance at the PCPA Pacific Conservatory Theatre.

Stop for wine country’s best Sunday brunch at The Century Club at the Historic Santa Maria Valley Inn before you head back home.

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In Santa Maria Valley, there’s so much to do from here. Hit the road and explore it all with our 24 hiking trails, 34 tasting rooms, seven unique AVAs, 13 beaches, and a growing selection of local breweries, all within a beautiful 30-minute drive. There is no need to venture far if you are looking for sand dunes, cycling and authentic Santa Maria Style dining. You’ll find it’s the perfect home base, where you can eat, drink and do more for less.